Support for corpses in caskets.



PATENTED DEC. 3. 1907.

J. I. RENO.

SUPPORT FOR GORPSES IN GASKETS.

APPLICATION FILE ID MAY 28.1907.

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PATENTBD DEG.

RENO I SUPPORT FOR GORPSBS IN GASKETS 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 28 (inventor THIE mamas PETERS 5a., wAsru/vmou, n. c.

JOSEPH I. RENO, OF ROOHESTER PENNSYLVANIA.

SUPPORT FOR CORPSES IN GASKETS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 3, 1907.

Application filed May 28 1907- Serial No. 3'76|182 To all whom-it may concern:

Be it known that JOSEPH I. RENO, a citizen of the United States, residing at Rochester, in the county of Beaver and State of Pennsylvania, has invented certain new and useful Improvements in Supports for Corpses in Caskets, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in it support for a corpse when placed in a cas- 6i Usually caskets or cofiins are padded with eXcelsior or like material, covered with appropriate drapery, and a corpse is supported thereon. Frequently this padding is not substantial enough to bear the weight of the corpse, and it becomes necessary to employ further padding. Then again when moving the casket from one place to another, the jolting causes the padding to mat and the head of the corpse will tilt, and when the cover of the casket is removed, an unsightly view of the remains is presented. Undertakers experiencing this difficulty strive to work up the padding to straighten the body to make it presentable, but in many cases, for instance where the casket has been deposited in the presence of a large gathering who are to review the remains, it is embarrassing for the artisan and frequently impossible to accomplish the desired end. My present invention is designed to overcome this difficulty.

The prime object of my invention is to provide an adjustable head and body support for a corpse in a casket, which when positioned will be caused to be held in place by the weight of the remains.

The invention also relates to a support of the character stated, which can be readily adjusted, and set in position by frictional contact with standards on which the support operates.

The invention relates also, to the particular arrangement of parts, and the details thereof, all of which will be hereinafter referred to and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings-Figure l is a view of a casket, partially broken away, and showing the application of the preferred form of my invention. Fig. 2 isa plan view of the same, the casket being in section. perspective view of the link connection between the support and standard. Fig. 4 is a similar view of a slightly different form of said device. Fig. 5 is an end elevation of the Fig. 3 is a detail invention in use, the casket being shown in section. Fig. 6 is a view of a different form of loose connection between the rest and standard. Fig. 7 is a similar view of a different form of said connection. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of my improved support in portable form. Fig. 9 is a detail of a further form of the invention.

The numeral 1, represents a casket of usual construction; 2, the sides, and 3, the bottom.

At or near the head of the coflin, are preferably three standards 4, fastened in the bottom 3, and to the sides '2. The standards may be roughened to afford a convenient grip of the connecting devices 5, as for instance in Figs. 1, 3, and 5. In these figures the standards are formed of twisted metal, whereas in Fig. 4, one is shown as being knurled. While it is preferred that a roughened standard be employed, it is not absolutely essential, as admirable results can be accomplished without this feature, as for instance as shown in Figs. 6, 7, and 8, a smooth surface is provided.

6, indicates a head rest formed of wire or any other suitable material. The head rest 6, is connected to the standards 4, by link connections indicated at 5. The link connections each consists of a ring 8, engaging the rest, and a block 9, formed with an opening 10, through which the standard passes. The link connection is designed that the rest may be freely tilted at any angle within a given range, so as to locate the head of the corpse to the convenience of the person laying the same out. The link connections permit of the rest to not only be tilted, but also to be raised and lowered on the standards as may be desired. The 0 enings 10, are a trifle larger than the thic ness of the standards and are designed to be freely moved thereon, but when slight pressure is applied to the rest, for instance by the'weight of the corpse, the link connection is tilted, and the corners of the walls of the openings 10, frictionally engage the standards and thereby hold the rest in a fixed position. The roughened surface of the standard insures of the frictional contact by the links, but as previously stated this feature may be dispensed with as shown in Fig. 6. i

A body rest indicated at 11, is located adjacent the head rest 6, and consists of a light frame 12-, connected by links 13, to operate in conjunction with standards 14, secured to the casket in substantially the same manner as previously described in reference to the head rest 6. The body rest 11, may also be set and held in fixed position, and at any angle within a given range to hold the upper portion of the body of the corpse in proper relation to the head.

In Fig. 4, I have shown the connection between the standard and the rest formed of a.

single element 15. This element consists of a single link formed with an eye 16, through which the standard passes, and bent at its opposite end to form a right angularly disposed eye 16**, to engage the rest.

It may be desirable to make the support of a portable nature, to be conveniently used in connection with caskets purchased in open market, as shown in Fig. 8. In this figure the numeral 18, indicates an upper frame, and 19, a lower frame, the said two frames being connected by standards 20. On the standards slide the links 21, carrying the head support 6, and body rest 11, operated in substantially the same manner as previously described. The openings 10, of the links 21, may be knurled to frictionally engage the standards, instead of roughening the standards, as shown in the other figures of the drawings.

In using the invention as disclosed in the preferred form, it is placed in the casket as shown in Fig. 1, covered by the usual drapery which hides it from view. When the corpse is placed in the casket the two rests are properly adjusted to the point where it will fit under the corpse, so that the posture of the latter will be as natural as possible. Obviously after the two rests have been set, the Weight of the corpse will hold them rigid on the standards, and any j olting or movement of the casket will tend rather to bind the links more rigid on the standards, than to adjust the former up or down as the case might be with little or no inconvenience.

If my present invention is to be used in connection with caskets purchased in open market the portable structure shown in Fig. 8, can be lowered in place, and operated with the same advantages, and convenience as with the preferred construction.

In Fig. 9, I have shown a different form of the invention which consists in constructing the connection between the rest and standards in such manner that the former can be readily detachable. The connection in this instance consists of a hook 40, provided with an opening 41, at one end for the passage of the standard. The support 43, rests loosely on the hook 40, and is loosely confined. This provides all the essential characteristics heretofore specified in connection with the other forms.

What I claim is 1. A support for a corpse, comprising standards, blocks apertured to receive the standards and adapted to slide thereon when horizontal, and to grip the standards when deflected, a rest and links connecting the rest and the blocks.

2. In a support of the character described in combination with standards, a rest adapted to be tilted in a plurality of directions and members adjustably mounted on the standards and connected to the rests, and adapted to be held in adjusted position by a weight on the rests.

3. A support for a corpse, comprising standards, blocks apertured to receive the standards and adapted to slide thereon when normally disposed, and to grip the standards when deflected, a rest and means for flexibly connecting the rest and the blocks.

In testimony whereof I afiiX my signature,

. in presence of two witnesses,

JOSEPH I. RENO.

\Vitnesses:

JAs. IMNIE, ALIoE I'I. BENNETT. 

